Mike Wright | Defensive Lineman

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According to CSN New England's Tom Curran, free agent DT Mike Wright "appears to be done as an NFL player."

Wright's concussion symptoms never did subside after his latest in Week 1 of the 2011 season, and the Patriots placed him on I.R. four weeks later. He was released on February 22 after failing his physical. If Wright's career is over, he'll finish with 15 career sacks and 101 tackles in 81 games (22 starts). Thu, Feb 23, 2012 03:20:00 PM

Former Patriots DT Mike Wright and G/C Rich Ohrnberger were released due to failed physicals.

Wright is now a free agent, though Ohrnberger must pass through waivers. Wright ended the past two seasons on injured reserve following concussions, while Ohrnberger missed all of 2011 with a "head" injury. Wright is considering retirement, but Ohrnberger could draw some interest once he's healthy. Thu, Feb 23, 2012 08:18:00 AM

Ohrnberger was actually waived and will be subject to the waivers process. Wright, 30, ended the last two seasons on injured reserve with concussions and is contemplating retirement. His release saves the Patriots $2.355 million in base salary. A once-valuable interior pass rusher, Wright led New England in sacks in 2010 with 5.5. He only made it into one game in 2011. Wed, Feb 22, 2012 04:39:00 PM

ESPN Boston believes Patriots DT Mike Wright could be a candidate for release.

Although he's due just $2.35 million in 2012, Wright is almost certain to be cut loose after having each of his past two seasons cut short by concussions. Four months shy of his 30th birthday, Wright said in October he was contemplating retirement. Tue, Feb 7, 2012 09:31:00 AM

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Former Patriots DT Mike Wright and G/C Rich Ohrnberger were released due to failed physicals.

Wright is now a free agent, though Ohrnberger must pass through waivers. Wright ended the past two seasons on injured reserve following concussions, while Ohrnberger missed all of 2011 with a "head" injury. Wright is considering retirement, but Ohrnberger could draw some interest once he's healthy.

Ohrnberger was actually waived and will be subject to the waivers process. Wright, 30, ended the last two seasons on injured reserve with concussions and is contemplating retirement. His release saves the Patriots $2.355 million in base salary. A once-valuable interior pass rusher, Wright led New England in sacks in 2010 with 5.5. He only made it into one game in 2011.

ESPN Boston believes Patriots DT Mike Wright could be a candidate for release.

Although he's due just $2.35 million in 2012, Wright is almost certain to be cut loose after having each of his past two seasons cut short by concussions. Four months shy of his 30th birthday, Wright said in October he was contemplating retirement.

Patriots DT Mike Wright (concussion, injured reserve) is optimistic he will be able to play again despite having two straight seasons cut short by concussions.

"It’s unfortunate, but at the same time a good thing that it wasn’t worse than what it is," Wright said. "Talking with my doctor today and looking at MRIs, things can be so much worse than they are and I’m very, very, very fortunate to catch this where we’ve got it." Entering an offseason where he will turn 30, Wright won't make an official decision on his future until the 2011 season has ended.

It's a horrible sign for a player who also missed the final two months of last season with lasting concussion symptoms, but the Patriots' only choice was to play it conservatively. A valuable rotational tackle for the Pats, Wright's NFL career is now in question with one season left on his contract.

Wright missed six games and the playoffs with a 2010 concussion, so this is a big concern for the Pats. He led the team in sacks last season. Concussions can become increasingly severe when players are repeatedly concussed, so we wouldn't expect Wright in the lineup for awhile. He certainly won't play in Week 2.

Patriots DE Mike Wright says he's almost completely recovered from the severe concussion he suffered in Week 11 last season.

"I feel much better," Wright said last week. "It lasted a while. I’m just glad that it’s over. It was a lot longer than expected but I’ve moved past it and I’m just looking forward to next year." Wright should be a big part of the Patriots' pass rush this season.

Patriots DE Mike Wright (concussion) is participating in player-organized workouts in Boston this week.

Patriots players are working out in shorts and t-shirts, simulating what would go on at a light minicamp or OTA. Wright's participation is notable because he missed six games and all of the playoffs with a severe concussion. He still finished with 5.5 sacks in 10 games (five starts), and will remain a key component of the Pats' nickel rushing package this season.

Patriots DE Mike Wright calls his recovery from his Week 11 concussion a "long road, a frustrating road."

"It was very scary," Wright said when speaking about his injury for first time. "It's something you can't describe. I don't wish it upon anybody, that's for sure." He is still not 100 percent symptom free, but is finally trending that way. He expects to begin working out soon, and for the moment at least, appears likely to be ready for camp.

A source close to Mike Wright (concussion) confirms the defensive lineman will be "completely ready to go for next year."

Wright never played after a Week 11 concussion, and he couldn't even watch television until late in the season. Wright began to show "significant progress" a month ago. The source says he's "good, now." The Pats were right to be extra cautious with Wright last year.

Patriots DE Mike Wright has reportedly "made strides" in his recovery from recurring concussions and is working out at Gillette Stadium.

Wright appears to be targeting the usual start of Organized Team Activities to receive full medical clearance. A double-digit sack candidate prior to Week 11, Wright never overcame the concussions, missing the rest of the Patriots' regular season games and the playoffs. He will return at a $1.24 million salary as the team's top situational pass rusher off the bench.

Wright was the Pats' sack leader with 5.5 in the first ten games, but was unable to overcome a Week 11 concussion, failing to appear in a single contest thereafter. Still an effective pass rusher when healthy, the 28-year-old is assured of returning in 2011 with a reasonable $1.24 million base salary.

Patriots DLs Mike Wright (neck/concussion) and Myron Pryor (back) have both been ruled out for Week 14 at Chicago.

Assuming the Bears return to their smashmouth roots in a game where the tempo should be dictated by miserable weather, Wright and Pryor will be missed by a Pats' defense looking to contain RBs Matt Forte and Chester Taylor. Although neither lineman has played in several weeks, New England is riding a four-game winning streak.

The Patriots have downgraded DE Mike Wright (concussion), RG Stephen Neal (shoulder), CB Jonathan Wilhite (hip), and DL Myron Pryor (back) to "out" for Thursday's game against the Lions.

These were the four players who didn't make Wednesday night's team flight to Motown. Tom Brady (questionable, foot) was on the plane and will start against the Lions barring something catastrophic. Fred Taylor (questionable, toe) interestingly also made the trip. Dan Connolly starts for Neal.

Depth Charts

Patriots DE Adrian Clayborn injured his quad during workouts last week.

The injury could limit Clayborn's availability for "Phase 3" of OTAs, though the veteran defensive end should be back at full strength by the time training camp opens in July. Clayborn led the Falcons with a career-high 9.5 sacks last season with six of those takedowns coming in a Week 10 win over Dallas.